If you have concerns about your immigration status in 2025, you are not alone. The second Trump administration’s efforts to target those who may be in the country illegally and restrict the options available to non-U.S. citizens seeking to establish (or maintain) lawful immigration status have put millions of people living in the United States on edge. This situation is still developing; and, as a result, many critical questions remain unanswered. With this in mind, here is an overview of what you can do if you have concerns from an experienced New Jersey immigration lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A..
How to Check Your Immigration Status
If you aren’t sure of your legal immigration status, this is something that you will want to figure out right away. You can check your case status online through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. As USCIS explains:
“To check your case status using our online tool, you have to have your case receipt number. This receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives, and it’s used to identify and track its cases. The receipt number consists of three letters followed by 10 numbers. For example, the letters can be EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE. You can find it on notices of action USCIS has sent you.”
If you don’t have your case receipt number, or if you aren’t comfortable using USCIS’s website on your own, a New Jersey immigration lawyer at our firm can help. If you decide to check your case status, it is extremely important that you visit USCIS’s website directly (https://egov.uscis.gov), as USCIS has warned of several scams targeting non-U.S. citizens.
What to Do if You Have Concerns About Your Immigration Status
Let’s say you have concerns about your immigration status. What can (and should) you do?
Whether you have received an unfavorable determination from USCIS, your immigration case has stalled or the second Trump administration’s policies (such as the recent decision to pause immigration applications filed by migrants from Latin America and Ukraine who entered the U.S. legally during the Biden administration) have jeopardized your legal status in the United States, there are some important steps you should take promptly. These steps include:
1. Gather Your Documentation
The first thing you should do is gather any documentation that you have related to your immigration status. This could be documentation you received when you crossed the border, documentation you received when you applied for a visa with USCIS, documentation you have received during the application process, or documentation you have received since entering the United States.
Try to be as comprehensive as possible. Along with any formal notices you may have received from USCIS or ICE, you should save emails, voicemails and any other communications you have received as well. The more information you can share with your New Jersey immigration lawyer, the easier it will be for your lawyer to provide an accurate assessment of your immigration status and the options you have available.
2. Comply with the Law
Given the second Trump administration’s focus on targeting non-U.S. citizens who have committed criminal offenses in the United States, it is extremely important that you comply with the law. Even under normal circumstances, being arrested for a crime can be enough to put your lawful immigration status at risk.
Among other things, this means obeying the speed limit, obeying all traffic signs and signals, and making sure you do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You do not want to give the police any reason to pull you over if you can avoid it.
3. Make Emergency Plans
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recommends making emergency plans in case you are detained by the police or U.S. immigration authorities. This includes:
“Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested. Memorize the phone numbers of your family and your lawyer. Make emergency plans if you have children or take medication.”
Here too, if you aren’t exactly sure what you need to do, a New Jersey immigration lawyer at our firm can help. While it is extremely unfortunate that these are steps you need to take, the risks of being detained are not risks that you can afford to ignore. Be sure to speak with an attorney about preparing a power of attorney document that provides for a person you trust to act on your behalf if you are taken into custody. This document should cover the following (as applicable):
- Custody of your children
- The ability to run your business, sign documents and do banking on your behalf
- The ability to sell property (home, cars, and/or other property)
- The ability to access your bank accounts and credit cards, etc.
4. Have a Plan In Case You Are Approached By the Police or ICE Agents
It will also be important to make sure you have a plan in case you are approached by the police or ICE agents in New Jersey. As the ACLU advises, “[s]tay calm and do not resist or obstruct the agents or officers,” and “[d]o not lie or give false documents.” Obstructing agents or officers, attempting to flee, and providing false information to the police or ICE are all mistakes that can make your situation more dangerous than necessary.
However, while you should not obstruct agents or officers, you can—and should—exercise your right to remain silent. As the ACLU advises, “Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't give any explanations or excuses. Don't say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without a lawyer.”
5. Consult with a New Jersey Immigration Lawyer
Given the importance of protecting yourself and your family, you should consult with a New Jersey immigration lawyer if you have any questions or concerns. Now is not the time to take chances. An experienced New Jersey immigration lawyer will be able to help you make informed decisions based on your personal circumstances, and, if necessary, your lawyer can deal with USCIS, ICE, the police, or other authorities on your behalf.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation with a New Jersey Immigration Lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.
If you need more information about how to protect yourself as a non-U.S. citizen living in New Jersey, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a confidential consultation with a New Jersey immigration lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., call 877-435-6371 or contact us confidentially online now.
